Violist/Composer Leanne Darling has appeared with virtuoso oudist Simon Shaheen in Carnegie Hall, with poets Robert Bly and Clarissa Pinkola-Estes at the Omega Institute, and with the Cedar Lake Ensemble's premiere performance in Chelsea. Her work on Toy Box Theatre’s The Landlord earned her the Best Original Music award from the New York Innovative Theater Awards in 2007. She has worked with choreographers Jodie Gates and Ann Robideaux. A classicaly trained violist and former assistant principal with the Florida West Coast Symphony, Darling now specializes in Arabic music, jazz, blues and composes her own repertoire for solo viola and loops. When not performing, she leads classes in 'StringPlay', a curriculum she designed to teach improvisation to string players of all ages.

Few violists have dared to climb out of the classical box to investigate their instrument in new ways. Leanne Darling's brave and dedicated explorations into improvisation, Arabic music, and composition distinguish her as one of the leaders in her field.
-Julie Lyonn Lieberman, Improvising Violinist and Author

Leanne Darling is one of the most promising new talents on the scene of improvised classical and world soundings. Her viola is rich with sound and depth, and her control of many musical idioms gives the listener a great sense of inspiration and culture. I highly recommend her considerable talents, both as a composer/performer and as an authentic and inspiring teacher.-David Darling, Cellist,Grammy Nominated Recording Artist and Teacher